Groundhog Festival starts Sunday morning

June 29, 2012

Punxsutawney Public Works crew member Jamie Bush with equipment for the Fun Zone preparation for the 46th-annual Groundhog Festival, which begins at 11 a.m. Sunday.
(Photo by Larry McGuire/The Punxsutawney Spirit)

âI can always remember which anniversary it is, because itâs the same number as the Super Bowl,â said Roger Steele, Groundhog Festival Committee chairperson. âWeâre the summer Super Bowl festival, because weâre the same age.â

This summer, however, committee members prepared for the week-long event with heavy hearts, following the passing of long-time committee member Ursula Albino.

âWe were all saddened to hear of the passing of Ursula, one of our greatest workers,â Steele said. âShe always asked what else she could do.â

Steele said he wrote the memorial that appeared in The Punxsutawney Spiritâs festival publication, and it took him three nights to do it.
âShe will be missed by everyone,â he said.

Formerly a sub-committee of the Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce, the festival committee became its own chartered, non-profit group. It pays all its own bills and has contributed to the many improvements in Barclay Square, such as installing water in the bandstand.

âThe water that is used out of the bandstand to water lawns and flowers is paid for by the Groundhog Festival Inc.,â Steele said. âOur security at night is paid for by our committee.â

Anything the festival needs â such as porta-johns, paper towels, tissues and hand soap for the restrooms in the borough building â it pays for it.
âThat way weâre not dependent on tax dollars in any way,â Steele said.

âA lot of festivals are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and/or the municipality, county or state. We receive no such funding.â

This year, the committee had to dig a little deeper into its pockets, having to purchase a license from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a performing rights organization which licenses and collects royalties for performances of its members.

âAnyone who uses music as part of its business is required to be a member of ASCAP,â or face fines, Steele said, which could have been anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000 for the week of this yearâs event.